EZ News 07/22/25

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 38-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 23,301 on turnover of 5.2-billion N-T. The market lost ground on Monday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing fell into consolidation mode on the back of lingering concerns over U-S tariff policies. US House approves 'Honest Maps' amendment targeting China's depiction of Taiwan The U-S House has passed an amendment banning the Defense Department from creating, buying, or displaying any map that shows Taiwan as part of the People's Republic of China. The "Honest Maps" amendment was proposed by Republican Representative Tom Tiffany and approved as part of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for the 2026 fiscal year. The amendment prohibits using any funds from the Act to create, buy, or display maps that show Taiwan, Kinmen, Matsu, Penghu, Wuciou, Green Island, or Orchid Island as part of the P-R-C. The Act includes 831.5-billion U-S dollars in discretionary (自行決定的) spending. Officials deny 32% US tariff rumors Economics minister Kuo Jyh-huei is dismissing claims that the U-S has already set a 32-per cent tariff rate for Taiwan. Speaking at a legislative hearing, Kuo said he has no idea where the rumors came from and he remains confident that Taiwan can negotiate a lower tariff rate than the 25-per cent given to Japan and South Korea. Cabinet spokesperson Michelle Lee is also denying the rumors (謠言) about the tariff rate - saying the government has yet to receive any notification from Washington. The statements come after former Broadcasting Corporation of China Chairman Jaw Shaw-kang made the claim about the 32-per cent tariff rate for Taiwan. Vice Premier Cheng Li-chun is leading a delegation to the U-S this week for a fourth round of tariff negotiations. HARVARD ARGUES WHITE HOUSE VIOLATED CONSTITUTION OVER FUNDING FREEZE Harvard University lawyers argued in a Boston court on Monday that the Trump administration blatantly violated the U.S. Constitution by freezing federal funding. It follows the White House freezing (停止) around two billion dollars' worth of grants to the elite (精英) private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Mitch McCann reports: Milan Mayor Denies Wrongdoing in Real Estate Probe Milan's mayor says he will not step down in the face of a sweeping probe into the city’s massive urban development over the last two decades. The city’s top urban development official resigned while denying wrongdoing. Milan prosecutors last week announced the investigation into Milan’s real estate boom that has seen skyscrapers transform the city’s skyline and entire neighborhoods rebuilt. It includes the construction of a new Olympic village for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The investigation targets more than 70 people for a system of corruption that prosecutors allege made Italy’s financial and fashion capital “a commodity to be plundered (被掠奪).’ That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn